Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

Retired Rams RB Marshall Faulk, an analyst for the NFL Network, was a Tuesday afternoon guest of the “Fox Hole” radio show hosted by Martin Kilcoyne and Maurice Drummond on Team 1380 AM. Team 1380

Faulk, the future Hall of Famer, had a lot of strong things to say about the sorry state of the Rams and their season-opening 38-3 loss at Philadelphia.

With a big thank you to Team 1380 producer Ben Boyd, who recorded and transcribed the interview, here are some excerpts of Faulk’s most notable comments…

Faulk suggested that the Rams should be better than they are:

“Decisions have to be made. Do you blow it up, where do you go, what do you do? I mean, players that have had big time success, we’re talking Pro Bowl caliber players: Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Orlando Pace, Steven Jackson. They look like they don’t belong in the league. And it’s not because they can’t play. You’re not going to tell me that. I’m not believing that they all of a sudden can’t play in this league.”

Faulk contrasting the Bears’ upset of Indianapolis to the Rams’ poor play:

“You’re not going to tell me that the (Bears) offense that they put out there is more talented than the offense that the Rams put out. It’s preparation, it’s understanding what you have; it’s having guys that are reliable.”

Faulk, on the Rams’ decision to release WR Isaac Bruce to open a starting job for Drew Bennett:

“I’m sorry, I’m a little biased to Isaac Bruce. I love Isaac Bruce, and I’ll let facts be known that there’s no way — and I don’t dislike Drew Bennett — but there is no way that this guy is better than Isaac or belongs or should be on that team instead of Isaac. It’s things like that, it’s misjudgment of talent. The guy’s been hurt. He’s often hurt. No knock on him personally, but they needed (Bruce). They could have used him (Sunday).”

Faulk on Steven Jackson:

“I said this earlier in the year, and I think people took it wrong, because I heard a couple comments. I said the Rams shouldn’t pay Steven Jackson. I don’t understand why they’re going to pay him. And I think people took it, like, maybe Steven’s not good or not dynamic. When you can’t block, and when you can’t sack the quarterback and stop the run, there’s no need to have a running back like this. There’s no need to pay him what you’re going to pay him–you’re not going to get to use him. What was he, like, 11 (actually 14 carries) for 40 yards? That’s a lot of money sitting in the backfield, and not have it or be able to use it, or you fall behind by 20 points. Now he’s definitely out of the game. And his effectiveness and what you love about him and what you’re paying him for is no longer necessary. I only forecasted that the Rams would be playing from behind, and people thought I was taking a jab at Steven–it had nothing to do with Steven; it had more to do with the team.”

Faulk on Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett:

“I love Jim. I used to find his defenses to be the most complicated to play against. And now I look back and I say even at (age) 35 with a bum knee I might go for maybe a hundred yards rushing and another hundred receiving right now,” against the Rams defense.

Faulk continued talking about Haslett:

“I like Jim. I’ve always thought highly of him. And I don’t know, maybe he’s upset of the old Rams-Saints days and he’s throwing games or whatever. Some of the things I saw happening out there the other day, I wonder when he sat in his office yesterday morning, what was his mindset? Was he thinking, ‘I need to change it up.’ Was he thinking, ‘my players screwed it up.’ Or was he thinking that he messed it up. Because one of the three things happened, or needs to happen.”

(Note: I think Faulk was joking about Haslett throwing games).

Faulk said Rams coaches should avoid showing the players the game film from Philadelphia:

“I went through a rough patch like this with the Colts, and coaches often don’t even want to look at the film. You don’t want guys to look at the film because it can be so bad that when players notice that it’s that bad, it’s hard to recover from. So I’m hoping that he didn’t allow them to watch the film, the coaches watched it and they go out there and try to make corrections and try to get guys to move forward from the debacle that happened. Something like that can linger though out a whole season just like last year with the Dolphins. It’s tough to get over losses like that.”

If you’d like to listen to an audio of the entire Faulk interview, it is posted at Ben Boyd’s web site, St. Louis Sports Insider

OK, a quick postscript from me on this:

* I know for a fact that Faulk wants to step in and do what he can to turn the Rams around … he is willing to come back as a personnel executive or possibly even as a head coach … but he will not do so as long as Scott Linehan is the coach. And he probably would stay away as long as Jay Zygmunt is the GM. Faulk has told me that he likes Zygmunt personally but isn’t sure how a working relationship would go.

* Faulk has a good rapport with Rams managing partner Chip Rosenbloom and Rams president John Shaw.

* I believe Marshall is being a little disingenuous about the Steven Jackson stuff. I don’t think he has a lot of love for Jackson. I don’t think Jackson has a lot of love for Marshall; let’s just be honest about this. And I know Faulk wants to see how Jackson competes after signing the big contract.

* Faulk has intense feelings about the Rams and is saddened and frustrated by their demise … after having the best and most successful years of his career in St. Louis, he is disgusted by the decline of the franchise, which he blames on many years of terrible mistakes made on personnel decisions. It kills him inside when he hears the Rams being the butt of jokes with analysts at the NFL Network, or elsewhere on TV. Some critics will say that Faulk should hold his comments instead of speaking up and possibly creating controversy … I disagree. He’s like anyone else who loves the Rams. He’s mad as Hell. And it’s hard to keep those feelings bottled up.

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

I'm for Marshall, bring him in, Linehan should leave NOW. This man couldn't inspire anyone, unless you want first pick in the draft the time for management to react is NOW. He's not even a good football guy, makes POOR decisions. For instance, when playing on the road and you win the toss, take the ball, sustain a long time consuming drive and take the opposing fans out of the game. Instead, we defer to the second half, for what??? Give Philly the ball and then give up a touchdown 4 plays later, GAME OVER..... This team had talent when he arrived and the team has only gotten worse... Haslett needs to go with him, our defense was shredded by a team that was without its 2 top wideouts. Our defensive backs quite simply don't belong in the NFL. If you don't now realize that Alex Barron is a complete bust, your not watching the same game that I am. Everytime Bulger gets hit, Barron doesn't touch anyone. Donnie Jones will probably be in the PRO BOWL, he'll have more punts than Torry Holt has catches at this point. As far as Sunday, GIANTS 45-3, I'll be there for every single play, because I love my RAMS and I am a fan, not fair weather either. FIRE LINEHAN TODAY, Thanks BIG T

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

* I know for a fact that Faulk wants to step in and do what he can to turn the Rams around … he is willing to come back as a personnel executive or possibly even as a head coach … but he will not do so as long as Scott Linehan is the coach. And he probably would stay away as long as Jay Zygmunt is the GM. Faulk has told me that he likes Zygmunt personally but isn’t sure how a working relationship would go.

The "Faulk for HC" campaign can't be far off the horizon now.

Just imagine.......two of the greatest trades in Rams history would both be for Faulk:

'99 - A 2nd & 5th for Faulk
'08 - Linny & Zyggy for Faulk

"Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning." --- Hesiod

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

OK. Start off with Faulk as a offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Let Saunders be HC. Give Faulk a big say in talent evaluation/decisions. Abandon SL and Zyg. Faulk knew every responsibility for every player on offense when he played. OC wouldn't be a problem for him. He also carries a pressence, which I would think demands attention when he speaks.

Now, who for DC? Is Demarco Farr interested? What can be done here to bring in someone to 1) fire up the players 2) scheme 3) hold guys responsible?

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

Given how close MF is to his playing days, the relationship he has (or doesn't have) with SJ, and his lack of coaching experience, I'm not sure I'd b too excited about a "Marshall for HC" campaign. I'd be very excited to see him move Ziggy out. To be honest, this team needs a complete shake-up from top to bottom. That includes ownership.

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

Scott Linehan shouldn't be allowed to finish the season. I would have to say that what Marshall said was 100% correct. You shouldn't allow a coach who went 3-13 the year before, and then come and get blown out the opening game of the season to finish a season.

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

What Marshall said about Issac and Drew is 100% correct. What was our FO thinking? "Well Issac is a future 1st ballot HOFer, but we can't afford a whole extra 1 million dollars to keep him. Lets release him and replace him with an overpaid scrub." Terrible decision making like this by our FO is why we will never be a great team. FIRE 'EM ALL CHIP! (or sell the team)

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

Faulk's rant could hurt this team more than it helps.

Let's face it, there is some sort of HC/player issues going on that has carried over from last season. At least that's my only explanation for the lack of effort our team put forth in Philly on Sunday.

Faulk's rant just adds fuel to the fire in my opinion from a players point of view.

Re: Marshall Faulk Sounds Off

It's hard to disagree with Faulk's words here. Former players are egged on to be controversial when working for the media but none of this is out of turn. I'm not sure about having him as head coach though.